Ethel Cain Releases 8-Minute Single 'Nettles' Ahead August Album

Ethel Cain has released “Nettles,” the haunting eight-minute lead single from her upcoming album Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You, which is set for release on August 8, 2025. The song, described as devastatingly romantic, explores themes of love, loss, and reassurance, with Cain asking a lover to comfort her after a nightmare about their death, reflecting a dream of growing old together despite fears of loss. Cain revealed that "Nettles" and the album’s closing track were written the same week she moved into the Alabama house where she finished her debut Preacher’s Daughter, with the album serving as a prequel that chronicles the story of her first love, Willoughby Tucker. Fans and critics alike have hailed “Nettles” as a deeply emotional and cinematic piece that balances brutality with reverence, with many noting its slow-burn impact that deepens with each listen. The album continues Cain’s narrative and mythmaking style, produced over the past year in her home studios, and will be supported by a tour across major U.S. cities. Cain’s work remains noted for its dark Americana style and its ability to weave complex emotional stories through music.